Intercultural Communications

"Communication-the human connection-is the key to personal and career success" Paul J Meyer

Living in an inter-racial cosmopolitan island such as Singapore, intercultural communications is as important as learning to speak in more than 1 language. This is especially so due to the influx of foreign students and immigrants increases as part of the government's policy to solve the aging population issue in Singapore. Moreover, due to globalization, it is a norm for many people to work abroad in a totally different environment. Intercultural communications, both verbal and non-verbal is important so that both parties do not face a misunderstanding due to a difference in culture.

Being an avid traveler, I have been to many countries in 4 of the 7 continents. Unlike many of my peers, I have learned many of these foreign cultures by experiencing them first hand instead of through media. This really helps me cope with many friends who are not from Singapore and for these 22 years of my life, I have never faced any miscommunications or misconceptions due to the difference in culture.

Today's story, I would like to talk music as a form of intercultural communication.

Since young, I have always been wanting to go to Japan after watching all the anime and playing video games from Japan such as Pokemon, Digimon and Final Fantasy. The chance came when my Junior College symphonic band decided to go to Japan on an exchange trip to learn more about their music culture. During the 1 month preparation I had, I tried to learn the names of my favorite sushi, dons and all the delectable food I can get in Japan. The band even tied up with the travel agency for a few lessons of basic Japanese taught to us by our tour guide. Then, I thought to myself, what could go wrong? We have a tour guide to translate to us if there is a need. In the past, all I ever thought about intercultural barriers was just the language itself.

We had band exchanges with 3 schools, 2 of their high schools and a college. At first, it was really awkward as most of us do not know Japanese well. Some of my band mates are also avid "otakus" but we are only able to speak very simple Japanese. Moreover, the Japanese students only knew some simple English terms. Therefore, there was a communication barrier between students of two different countries. Luckily, one of the students managed to get hold of an electronic translator. Things got a little easier as we managed to understand a little of what each other are talking about now.

However, what was even more interesting was about to unfold. We had a combined band practice whereby we played songs that students from both countries knew. It was so amazing that students from two totally different culture and speak different language could get together through music. While playing, it finally dawned on me that music was an international language. No matter what language the title of the songs were in, the melody brought us together.

After the practice, we started talking about the composers, the songs we like and when the Japanese students did not understand the title of the songs in English, all it took was for me to play a stanza of the song and they immediately knew what I was talking about.

From this trip on, I never took music lightly as I did in the past anymore. I treasured the "international language" as I know that wherever I may go, music will always bring about musicians from different language and culture together.